KABUKI CATS
The “Kabuki Cat” series is inspired by the ukiyo-e, literally “pictures of the floating world”, of the famous Japanese artist Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797-1861). Because of the perceived decadence of the merchant class – and more importantly, their growing economic clout- the poker-faced authorities of 19th century Japan banned many of the most popular pleasures of the growing middle class. Included were ukiyo-e (blockprints) of famous Kabuki actors. Considered harmful to public morals, depictions of Kabuki actors and geisha, who had long had been the darlings of ukiyo-a printmakers, were banned. It was during these years that Kuniyoshi produced a series of theatrical works-though with a slight twist. In order to get around the “ban” he produced ukiyo-e that were scenes from hit kabuki plays, performed by cats.
Kuniyoshi himself loved cats and had many. In some of his more risqué works he adapted the pseudonym Gobyokai, or “Master of Five Cats”.